01/2016-01
FAQs about Freezium
1 What is Freezium?
Freezium is a solution of potassium formate
(HCOOK). This is an organic salt. This solution
remains completely fluid at low temperatures.
Therefore, Freezium is very suitable for use as a
2 Is Freezium safe?
Yes, Freezium is neither toxic nor flammable.
Moreover, it is biodegradable. This makes
Freezium very suitable as a cooling medium for
refrigeration systems in the foodstuffs industry,
3 What is the advantage of indirect cooling?
Whoever designs an environmentally-responsible
refrigeration system, searches for systems with
the least possible refrigerant content.. An indirect
system has a primary refrigeration system using a
limited refrigerant content and a secondary
system using a cooling medium.
However, indirect cooling systems have more
advantages:
 They can be controlled very precisely. For
control purposes there is no better system!
 Standard chillers can be used in the primary
system (cost saving!)
 Indirect systems are simple to modify, there are
no refrigeration modifications required. Many
production processes require such a flexible
system.
4 Why is the viscosity of a cooling medium important?
Cooling media with a low viscosity are less
‘syrupy’. Freezium, when compared with
conventional cooling media, has a very low
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Product information
cooling medium in indirect refrigeration systems.
Particularly in situations where low temperatures
are used and pipework is exposed to the risk of
freezing.
commercial refrigeration and industrial process
refrigeration. In addition, Freezium can also be
used, for example, in air conditioning installations.
 Savings on refrigeration maintenance, the
smaller the primary cooling circuit, the fewer
legally mandatory maintenance and checking
operations.
 Laying a cooling medium piping system is
simpler, it is not specialized refrigeration work,
and thus it does not require technicians with a
certificate for halogenated refrigerants.
Indirect cooling systems require more energy than
direct systems. This is because of the lower
evaporation temperature and the additional
energy needed to pump the cooling medium
around. The use of ammonia as an
environmentally-friendly refrigerant can
compensate for this energy disadvantage.
Moreover the properties of the coolant medium
play a crucial role.
viscosity. The product can be circulated easily.
This has a considerable effect on the energy
needed for pumping.
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FAQs about Freezium

5 Thus, does Freezium cool quickly?

Freezium has outstanding heat transfer properties. This means that, again comparing it with conventional
cooling media, smaller heat exchangers can be used. This means an immediate cost saving.

6 What is the specific heat capacity?

Each substance can remove a certain quantity of removal per cubic metre the less cooling medium
heat. Each cubic metre of Freezium can carry needs to be circulated. This too contributes to
away a great deal of heat. The greater the heat lower energy consumption.

7 When does Freezium freeze?

Freezium -60°C contains 50% potassium formate, and gives a typical freeze point of -60°C (ASTM D1177).

8 Can I include units with different temperatures in one Freezium refrigeration

installation?

That can certainly be done. Refrigeration units,
cabinets, cold rooms or the air conditioning of, for
example, a supermarket can all work from one
Freezium system. You can control the
refrigeration capacity for each unit very precisely
with Freezium. However, for the lowest possible
energy consumption it is usually better to work
with separate systems for cold or freezer cabinets
or rooms.

9 Can I use Freezium in my existing indirect system?

Exclusive use of Freezium is recommended for Nevertheless, we recommend avoiding mixing

optimal corrosion protection.
Mixing with other heat transfer fluids may lead to
some precipitation of solid material, causing
problems in systems by clogging or damaging
pumps, and by increasing the risk of corrosion.
In-house testing has shown that topping-up
Zitrec S installations with Freezium up to 10%
gives no incompatibility issues.
different brines, and advise to clean the system.
Professional cleaning companies are best
involved when a system is heavily contaminated
or corroded. Often leaks will occur during cleaning
because corrosion products covering holes are
removed. Please get in touch with us for advice.

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01/2016-01 Product information

FAQs about Freezium

10 Does Freezium guarantee corrosion protection if the installation stops from

turning during a few days, weeks or even months?

Our recommendation is – during longer term breaks – to start the pump once a day for 5 to 10 minutes to
assure good circulation of the fluid, and assure continuous protection.

11 What materials can I use in the installation?

Many of the most widely-used materials are for low temperatures. Aluminium and zinc are not
suitable such as cast iron, stainless steel, carbon suitable. Please check our materials matrix for
steel, copper and most plastics that are suitable more information and details

12 What is exactly the problem for the use of galvanized steel?

In contact of Freezium with galvanized steel, zinc gets in solution and forms zinc-formates. These may result
in blockage of filters.

13 What type of material can I use for jointing?

Almost all the usual joints are suitable provided they are not porous and are suitable for low temperatures:
soldering (but not with materials containing zinc), welding, compression fittings and adhesives.

14 What should I do if I spill Freezium?

For toxicity and safety information, we refer to the Safety Data Sheet. The information and advice given
should be observed and due attention should be given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals.

15 What should I do if I get Freezium on the skin or in the eyes?

For toxicity and safety information, we refer the Safety Data Sheet. The information and advice given should
be observed and due attention should be given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals.

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01/2016-01 Product information

FAQs about Freezium

16 Can you still eat food on which Freezium has been spilled?

Although Freezium is not classified as hazardous, it should not be used in any case where it has potential of
direct contact with food. Any contamination of food with Freezium will therefore make it unsuitable for sale.

17 What happens if Freezium accidentally comes into contact with ammonia?

The ammonia will react with the formate, but will remain in solution. There is no safety risk.

18 Can I dilute Freezium myself?

Freezium -60°C is provided as ready-to-use
product. Freezium -60°C can be diluted with
water up to a freezing point of -30°C. In
applications where no corrosion protection is
required (f.e. plastic pipes), Freezium -60°C might
be diluted further. For optimal performance and
controlled quality, we advise the use of deionised
or distilled water to prepare the ready-to-use
dilutions. We refer to our product information leaflet
on water quality recommendations

19 Does Freezium need maintenance?

You can analyse the fluid during the annual maintenance of your installation and, if necessary, adjust the
concentration. If the liquid is contaminated, filters must be used.

20 How long does Freezium last?

This depends upon the nature of the installation and the other circumstances. If the solution becomes diluted
or contaminated its properties deteriorate.

21 Is there anything more I should know?

We have tried in this leaflet to answer the most frequent questions. We refer you to our product information
leaflet for more information.

All information contained in this document is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, the Company makes no
TM
warranty or representation, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Freezium is a registered
trademark of Kemira Oy, Finland.

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